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In His Steps Foundation

EIN 31-1512682 · Independence, OH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENCOURAGE AND TEACH CHRISTLIKE STEWARDSHIP WHICH BECOMES THE BASIS FOR PERSONAL GIVING AND ESTATE PLANNING; TO ALSO PROVIDE A PRUDENTLY MANAGED REPOSITORY FOR CAPITAL, INVESTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISTRIBUTION TO MINISTRIES PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND FOR OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES.

Income
$7.9 million
Spending
$8.5 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
56.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
3
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$151,860, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 56.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $8.3 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O HELP PEOPLE DISCOVER GODS PLAN OF STEWARDSHIP FOR THEIR WEALTH AND IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN THROUGH UTILIZING ALL THE BENEFITS OF A LOW-COST PUBLIC FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO HELPING OTHERS MINISTRIES. HELP FAMILIES START AND USE A FAMILY FOUNDATION FUND FOR CHRISTIAN PHILANTHROPY. HELP CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES START AND GROW AN ENDOWMENT FOR THEIR FUTURE STABILITY. GROW OUR INVESTMENTS USING CAREFULLY SELECTED PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL ADVISORS SUPERVISED BY THE INVESTMENT COMMITTEE. ANNUALLY MAKE GRANTS FROM OUR GENERAL FUND TO CAREFULLY SELECTED N.E. OHIO CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES. EQUIP GODS PEOPLE IN BIBLICAL STEWARDSHIP THROUGH TEACHING, PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND PRIVATE COUNSELING. OFFER AND ADMINISTER PLANNED FUTURE GIFTS THAT PROVIDE CURRENT TAX-WISE BENEFITS TO DONORS. PARTNER WITH LIKE-MINDED LEGAL, CHRISTIAN FOUNDATIONS, AND OTHER COLLABORATIVE RESOURCES FOR MUTUAL ENRICHMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.